Driving point for piles and method of forming driven piles



Feb. 9, 1932. G. P. SCHMEDES DRIVING POINT FOR FILES AND METHOD OF FORMING DRIVEN FILES Filed March is, 1930 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Z 0 M i. W

Feb-9, 1932. G, C DES 1,844,871

DRIVING POINT FOR FILES AND METHOD OF FORMING DRIVEN FILES Filed March 18. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z6 Z2 M4 24 J Feb. 9, 1932.

G. P. SCHMEDES 1,844,871

DRIVING POINT FOR FILES AND METHOD OF FORMING DRIVEN FILES Filed March 18, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 6 l E96 d0 ,f

'i\ w 5: 71$ I II [III 9a 3?! H I n II II y I! H 7 V I M M I V/- fi \k & J 34 M In 's INVENTO I Patented Feb. 9, 1932 na'rren STATESPATENT OFFWE GEORGE PETER SCHMEDES, E BRONX, N EW.YORK

DREVING PG IN FOR FILES AND METHOD OF VFORLIING DRIVEN PILES Applicationflled March 18, 1930. Serial No. 436,703.

This invention relates to driving points for piles and to a method of forn'iing driven piles and provides improvements therein. I

The invention provides means by which a tubular pile may be driven with greater rapidity and ease than is now commonly practiced in driving tubular piles. It provides'a tapered driving point, which may be inwardly collapsed and withdrawn through the tubular interior portion of the pile after the pile hasbeen driven. It hence provides means whereby a tu ular pile forms a complete hole as it is driven, and does not form a core of dirt inside or" the tubular pile which has to he removed, so that when th pile is driven, it is ready to hefilled with concrete after the removal ofthe point. The use of the improved driving point hence enables the finished driven pile to be more quickly eft'ec-ted than by the use of the usual pile driv- 7 ing methods. The invention further provides a point which may be successively used in driving successive piles. T

' he invention further provides a method of driving and forming a pile which'ena a broad foot to hefohtained on the dri en end or" the pile, of substantially the full di-' ain'eter of the pile, whereby the maximum area othearing may he obtained at thefoot of the pile.

The invention also provides various other features of improvement. hereinafter set forth.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings where- 1n:*-

' otwhich is substantially Figure l'is a vertical. section through a.

is being driven Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the collapsible portions of the point; and

9 is a perspective view of a modification showing the improved pile adapted for driving in sand. x

F 10 is a vertical sectional viewof the foot of the pile, showing the condition at the too": of the pipe, after the driving point has been removed, the pipe driven to bed rock,

and the boot collapsed.

Referring to said drawings, numeral 10 designates a tubular pipe of usual construction. suchxas used for forming so-called conu neral 12 designates the point asa whole. a point 12 comprises a plurality of sections (here shown as three} 14, 15, 16.; The sections lat, 15, 16 are tapered and when held in expanded position, form a cone, the base the diameter of the pipe or pile 10. The sections 14,15, 16, in eXtended positiomas shown in Figs. & and "5, are together of less circumferential length than the cone at any transverse section, spaces 18 being leftbetween the sections in the extended position thereof. The width of the spaces 18 is such that when the sections it, 15, .16 are collapsed inwardly toward the axis the point, as shown in Fig. 2, the circumference of the largest part of the collapsed sections less than the cross'sectional area of the tubular sleeves on the inside of pipes 10 usnallyemployed for'joining tWo sections 0? pipe, thereby admitting of the collapsed sections being withdrawn through the interior of the pipe 10, (as shown in Fig. after the pile has been driven, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The lower ends of the sections 14, 15,16 are preferably connected to a solid pointed nose 20. The upper part of the nose is conveniently formed with an annular groove 22, and the sections 14, 15, 16 may be provided with correspondingly shaped projections 24 fitting in the groove 22 with a slight amount of looseness so that the sections 14, 15, 16, in the act of collapsing inward- 1y, may turn slightly within the said groove sections 14, 15, 16 is of convenience in keeping the parts connected as a unit. The point is thereby more conveniently transported and used.

The sections 14, 15, 16 have, at their upper ends, cylindrical surfaces and 32, the cylindrical surface 30 being adapted to bear a ainst the inner sides of the lower end of the pipe 10, in the extended position of the sections 14, 15. 16. The cylindrical surfaces 32 are preferably of a diameter approximately equal to the exterior diameter of the pipe 10. A shoulder is formed between the cylindrical portions 30 and 32, and the bottom edge of the pipe 10 rests upon this shoulder 34 when the sections 14, 15, 16 are in extended position. The force of the pile driver is transmitted from the pipe 10 to the point 12 through the shoulder 34.

Numeral designates a spreader which is used in maintaining the sections 14, 15,

16 of the point in extended position during driving. The spreader 40 also serves as part of the means for collapsing and withdrawing the sections 14, 16 at the end of the driving operation. as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The spreader 40 is preferably a hollow part, formed with a conical or frustro-conical end portion 42, adapted to fit against correspondingly shaped faces or portions 44 on the inner lower parts of the sections 14. 15, 16. Vhen the frustro-conical part 42 of the spreader 40 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 (extended position of the sections 14, 15, 16), the said sections 14, 15, 16 are securely supported against inward collapse, the pressure of the earth against the outside of the sections 14, 15, 16 during driving being thereby sustained by the tapered portion 42 of the spreader 40. The taper ot' the parts is comparatively long so that the resultant force tending to drive the spreader axially or upwardly is comparatively small.

The upper end of the spreader 40 is preferably provided with a flange 50, and the upper ends of the sections 14, 15, 16 are provided with cylindrical or approximately cylindrical inner faces 52 having a diameter, in the extended position of the sections, substantially equal to the diameter of the flange of the spreader 40. The flange 50 bearing against the corresponding inner faces 52 holds the upper ends of the said sections 14, 15, 16 against collapse under the forces acting against the outer faces of the said sec- \ions 14, 15, 16 during driving, and the combined action of the flange 56, and of the conical portion 42 of the spreader 40, against the correspomling portions of the inner faces of the said sections 14, 15, 16, very effectively support the said sections 14, 15, 16 against inward collapse during driving.

Means are provided for preventing the spreader 40 being displaced axially under the action of the pile driver impacts, and the resultant of the pressure of the earth, during 1 driving, against the outer sides of the sections 14, 15, 16. This tendency to axial displacement of the spreader under impacts of the pile driver on the pipe 10 may be utilized in loosening the spreader, after the driving with the point has been completed and the means or latches 60 have been moved to releasing position.

The means 60 conveniently comprise one or more latches 62 engaging sockets or rei cesses 64 in one or more of the sections 14, 15, 16. Two latches 62 are here shown, engaging recesses 64 in the sections 15 and 16.

Means are provided for collapsing the sections 14, 15, 16 and withdrawing these T731 parts, and the other parts of the point associated therewith through the interior of the pipe 10. The means 70 comprise cables 72, 73, 74 attached at their ends to the sections 14, 15,

16 as indicated at 76. The ends of the cables 72, 73, 74 are conveniently attached to the said sections 14, 15, 16, by drilling tapered holes 7 8 in said sections, spreading the ends of the" cables in said tapered holes. and leading the said spread ends to thereby hold the 11? spread ends in the tapered holes against the pull on the said cables, as hereinafter described. For simplicity, the upper ends of the cables 72, 73, 74 are attached to a ring 80, and a single cable 82, attached to said, '5;

ring extends through the pipe 10 to the surface, and provides a means for pulling upon the said cables 7 2, 73, 74.

The cables 72, 73, 74 preferably pass through the said spreader 40, through holes 84. 86. The holes 84, 86 are located at a point below the level at which the ends 76 are secured to the sections 14, 15, 16. Pulleys 88 may be provided on the spreader, and the cables 72, 73, 74 run over these pulleys 88,

and thereby run more easily.

After the pile has been driven as far as intended with the point 12, the said point is removed as follows. The cable 82 is attached to the boom of a derrick, or other suitable lnachine for pulling, and through the ring 80,

pulls on the cables 72, 73, 74. The first result of the pull on the cables 72, 73, 74 is to lift the spreader axially, withdrawing the conical portion 42 from the corresponding faces 44 on the sections 14, 15, 16. The flange is also withdrawn from the corresponding inner cylindrical faces 52 of the said sections 14, '15, 16. When the spreader 40 has been withdrawn axially sufficiently to permit of the inward collapseof the said sections 14, 15, 16, the cables 72, 7 3, 74 begin to pull inwardly upon the said sections 14, 15, 16, and the continued pull of the said cables 72, 73, 74 draws the said sections 14, 15, 16 inwardly until the said sections have an exterior diameter smaller than the interior diameter of the said pipe 10, whereupon the cables begin to lift the said sections 14, 15, 16 up wardly, as shown in Fig. 2. The cables also carry upwardly with them the said spreader 40. and the nose 20 as hereinafter described.

Means are provided for releasing the latches 62 prior to lifting of the said spreader by the cables 72, '73, 74. These means are preferably in the form of a toggle lever 92 connected by links 94 to each of the latches 62. An arm 96 on the said toggle lever 92 is connected by a cable'98 tothe said ring 80. The cable 98 is suitably shorter than the cables 72, 73, 74, whereby the pull on the,

cable 82 causes the latches 62 to be withdrawn prior to the cables 72, 73, 74 beginning to pull on the said spreader 40. The shorter cable 98 lifts the toggle lever 92 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 6 prior to or coincident with the time that the cables begin to act inwardly on the sections 14, 15, 16, and thereby the said cables 72,. 73, 74 are enabled to lift the spreader 4O axially with relation to the sec tions 14, 15, 16 as hereinbefore described. If desired, the cable 98 instead ofbeing attached to the ring 80 may extend independently to the surface through the said pipe 10. I 7

Means 100 are preferably )I'OVlQlQCl for initiating the inward collapse :of the sections 14, 15, 16 prior to the pull of the cables 72, 73, 74. These means are conveniently in the form of cam levers 102 plvotally connected to each of the sections 14,15,16 as indicated at v 104, Figs. 3 and '6. These cam levers 102 have tails 100 which extend into the path of the flange-50 on the spreader 40. During the upward movement of the said spreader 40, as hereinbefore described, the flange 50 strikes the tails 106 of the cam levers, thereby rocking the said levers and causing the cams: to press against the inner face of the pipe 10, and force the said sections 1'4, 15, 16 away.

from the inner side of the said pipe, asshown in Fig. 6. When the soil into which the pile is driven 1s mo1st, suction actson the outer:

faces of the sections 14, 15, 16, and said cam levers 102 actto break thissuction. The

or otherwise connected to the said nose 20,

as-indicated 21 0124. The bolt has a head 12?) which contacts with an inner shoulder 128 on the spreader 40, the contact between the said shoulder 128 and head 126 being established at about the time the cables 72,

73, 74 begin to lift upwardly upon the sec tions 14, 15,. 16. Thereby the spreader 4O begins to lift the nose 2O coincident with the initiation ofthe upper movementof the parts of the point 12 a whole. The bolt 120 furthermore relieves the connection between the sections 14, 15, 16 and nose 29, of strain, when the point is'withdrawn.

For best results, a boot or sheath is provided. This boot 135 covers the nose 20, the sections 14, 15, 16,,and preferably laps somepipe 10 and the shoulder 34 on the said sectIOIlS 14, 15, 16. This boot covers the spaces 18 between the said sections, and prevents dirt entering mto said spaces and hinderingthe inward collapse of the said sections. The boot 135 is preferably reinforced at its end by a tip 138 of substantial thickness. The

said tip 138 forms the extremity of the boot which in immediate contact with the-earth, and bears the main portion of the frictionof the earth as the pile is driven downwardly.

- After the pile is driven downwardly as far as intended or desired with the point attached, the point is inwardly collapsed and removed as heretofore described. The pile is then preferably driven further to a distance corresponding to the lengthof the point.

what the joint between the lower edge of the I Thiscollapses the boot. The pile is then filled with concrete, and the pile has a foot equal in area-to the full cross-sectional area of the pile. This provides a bearingof maximum area at the base of the pile, and thereby provides a greater bearing area than-is allowed for pointed piles.

lVhen the pile is driven in sand, a passage 140 may beprov-idedthrough the bolt 120,

and through the nose 20, and also through the tip 138 on the boot, as shown in F ig. 9. A nipple l42imay be attached to the upper end of the bolt, and a hose attached to the nipple. A stream of water under high pressure maybe forced through the hose 145 and thence through the passage 140 against the sand at the point of the pile. The jet issuing through the passage 140 will drive the sand away and upwardly alongside of the pile, and thereby facilitate the driving of the pile.

The invention may receive other embodiments than that herein specifically illustrated and described.

What I claim is 1. A driving point for a hollow tubular pipe pile adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe and to which driving impacts on the pipe are imparted through the lower end of the pipe, said driving-point comprising a plurality of tapered sections, and a sprea er for holding said sections extended and spaced apart, and means for withdrawing said spreader to permit inward collapse of said sections, whereby they may be removed upwardly through the interior of said pipe, said sections having inner cylindrical faces and inner tapered faces, and said spreader having corresponding portions adapted to fit said tapered and cylindrical portions in the extended position of said sections.

2. A driving point for a hollow tubular pipe pile adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe and to which driving impacts on the pipe are imparted through the lower end of the pipe, said driving-point comprising a plurality of tapered sections, said sections having means thereon for receiving the driving impacts imparted to said pipe, and a spreader for holding said sections extended and spaced apart, and means for withdrawing said spreader to permit inward collapse ofsaid sections,whereby they may be removed upwardly through the interior of said pipe,

and means for holding said spreader against axial movement with relation to the said sections, in the extended position of said sections, said means comprising a toggle lever, latches connected thereto and recesses in said sections into which said latches are adapted to fit, and a cable extending upwardly through the interior of the pipe, adapted to be pulled to disengage said latches.

3. A driving point for a hollow tubular pipe pile adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe and to which driving impacts on the pipe are imparted through the lower end of the pipe, said driving-point comprising a plurality of tapered sections, a spreader for holding said sections extended and spaced apart, means for withdrawing said spreader to permit inward collapse of said sections, means for pulling said sections together inwardly to collapse the same, whereby they may be removed upwardly through the interior of said pipe, and means on said sections adapted to be pressed against the interior of said pipe to initiate the collapsing movement of said sections.

4. A driving point for a hollow tubular pipe pile adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe and to which driving impacts on the pipe are imparted through the lower end of the pipe, said driving-point comprising a plurality of tapered sections, a spreader for holding said sections extended and spaced apart, means for withdrawing said spreader to permit inward collapse of said sections, means for pulling said sections together inwardly to collapse the same, whereby they may be removed upwardly through the interior of said pipe, and means on said sections adapted to be pressed against the interior of said pipe to initiate the collapsing movement of said sections, said last-named means comprising cam levers having tails extending into the path of upward movement of said spreader, and adapted to be struck by said spreader in the initial part of its upward movement, whereby to turn said cam levers, and thereby force said sections inwardly.

5. A method of forming driven piles comprising driving to approximately its full depth a hollow tubular pipe provided at its lower end with a collapsible driving point adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe, removing said collapsible driving point upwardly through the interior of said pipe, thereafter driving the pipe to approximately the depth to which the point is driven, and thereafter filling the pipe with concrete.

6. A driving point for a hollow tubular pipe pile adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe and to which driving impacts on the pipe are imparted through the lower end of said pipe, said driving point comprising a plurality of tapered sections, said sections having means thereon for receiving the driving impacts imparted to said pipe, a spreader for holding said sections extended and spaced apart, means for withdrawing said spreader to permit inward collapse of said sections, whereby they may be removed upwardly through the interior of said pipe, and means for fastening said spreader to a part of said point to thereby hold the spreader against the action of forces tending to displace the latter during the driving of the pile.

7. A driving point for a hollow tubular pipe pile adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe and to which driving impacts on the pipe are imparted through the lower end of said pipe, said driving point comprising a plurality of tapered sections, a spreader for holding said sections extended and spaced apart and axially movable to permit inward collapse thereof, cables attached to said sections, a connection between said spreader and said cables, said connection permitting said cables to first move said spreader axially to a position to permit inward collapse of the sections and then pull said sections inwardly, whereby the sections and spreader may be withdrawn through the interior of said pipe.

8. A driving point for a hollow tubular metal pipe pile adapted to penetrate the earth ahead of said pipe, said driving point having the force for driving the same imparted thereto through said pipe said driving point comprising a plurality of tapered sections surrounding an axial space and a nose beyond said sections having a driving connection with said sections and constituting the apex of said point, said sections having shoulders thereon Which the loWer end of said pipe is seated for receiving from said pipe the driving impacts imparted to the latter, a spreader in said axial space having extended bearing portions adapted to bear against the inner portions of said tapered sections and hold the same in extended position in driving relation with said pipe, said spreader being axially movable to permit in Ward collapse and removal of said driving point.

9. A driving point according to claim 8 wherein the bearingportions of said spreader comprise portions supporting the inner sides of said sections adjacent said shoulders and portions supporting the inner sides of said sections adjacent said nose.

10. A driving point accordin to claim 8, further comprising a hoot covering the exterior of said driving point, i

11. A driving point according to claim 8, further including means for fastening said spreader to a part of said point to thereby hold the spreader against the action of forces tending to displace the latter during the driving o1 the pile.

12. A driving point according to claim 8, in which said driving point further comprises a nose to Which the lower ends of said sections are connected, and a connection he- .veen said spreader and nose, whereby pull upon said spreader lifts said nose and said connected sections after the inward collapse of the sections.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

GEORGE PETER SCHMEDES; 

